More than 20 prominent companies and associations have signed President Trump’s “Pledge to America’s Workers,” signaling their commitment to creating new opportunities through apprenticeships, work-based learning, continuing education, on-the-job training and reskilling. To date, companies such as Microsoft, Walmart, General Motors, Lockheed Martin and Home Depot have pledged to train more than 3.8 million people for new positions.

Associated Builders and Contractors has committed to educating and developing at least 500,000 construction workers during the next five years. Already, ABC members invest $1.1 billion on workforce development to educate more than 475,000 industry employees annually, and ABC chapters have set up more than 800 apprenticeship, craft training and safety programs across the United States. Yet, there are 500,000 open positions in the construction industry alone. The National Association of Homebuilders, Associated General Contractors and North America’s Building Trades Unions have made pledges as well. 
 
The pledge is tied to President Trump’s executive order establishing the National Council for the American Worker, which is comprised of senior administration officials charged with developing a national strategy for training and retaining workers needed across high-demand industries.